Near the northern shore of Long Island, Rocky Point is situated about 10 miles east of Port Jefferson in Suffolk County. The area offers diverse camping cabin options within a 30-mile radius, with several locations providing direct access to Long Island Sound beaches. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, though evening coastal breezes can make nights cooler even during peak season.
What to do
Beach exploration at Watch Hill: Fire Island National Seashore offers unique backcountry beach camping experiences. "You can get a permit to backcountry camp instead of reserving a designated campground spot. Just walk down to the beach after check-in and walk east until you see a pole with a tent symbol on it," notes Emily S. about Watch Hill Fire Island Campground.
Visit local orchards: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to seasonal fruit picking. Near Wildwood State Park, visitors can enjoy "lots of stores nearby as well as orchards to pick your own fruits," according to Giselle P., who adds she "stayed there one weekend and went to Splish Splash waterpark that's not far away."
Hiking trails: Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers coastal trail networks. "Beautiful campground right near the beach. Hiking trails along the coast line," reports Timothy R. The park combines woodland and shoreline paths suitable for various skill levels.
Wildlife viewing: Kettletown State Park features diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "You have to buy a stargazing permit to be out on the beach after sunset, which is kind of strange but really helps prevent hooligans from taking over the beach and destroying the serenity," explains Amber A., who also noted seeing "lots of deer, pretty good birding."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities at Wildwood State Park Campground. "Bathrooms are big and spacious," mentions Megan B. Another visitor, Louis R., simply states "amazing sites, very great employees, bathrooms are clean, long walks."
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds offer direct beach access, a major draw for visitors. Igor K. from Watch Hill writes, "Favorite place ever... Very quiet and comfortable. Birdsong in the morning and the sound of the waves."
Large group areas: Heckscher State Park Campground receives praise for its group-friendly layout. "This place is the best around for group and family camping. The entire campground is one flat open space where some sites are full in the shade and other sites (lower numbers) have lots of sun," reports Giselle P.
Seasonal community: North Fork Cottages & RV Resort develops a community atmosphere during peak season. One visitor, Corey M., observed "tons of campers that were there for the season and kids playing together" and found the staff "extremely nice and helpful."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular cabins book quickly, especially at waterfront locations. About Hammonasset State Park Campground, Tiffany T. advises, "We make it a point to spend at least a week here every summer!" Booking months ahead is essential.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense at certain locations, particularly Fire Island. "Def bring a shelter or a canopy with a mosquito net!!! We spent a lot of time inside our tent, needless to say," warns Rosie R. about Watch Hill campground.
Beach conditions: Beach quality varies between locations. At Hammonasset, Laura L. notes, "The actual beach isn't too nice; not soft sand, broken shells, and cigarettes. However, the campgrounds have nice facilities like a shop, good showers, a playground, and volleyball courts."
Site privacy: Site separation differs dramatically between campgrounds. At Kettletown, Justin P. observes "the sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear, so my neighbors ended up using my fire ring to secure their tent."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Kettletown State Park Campground offers space for children to play. "The reason why I said that place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!" explains Jennifer H., adding "be sure put foods in the car!" to avoid wildlife encounters.
Transportation options: Some locations provide transportation services for families without vehicles. At Niantic KOA, an owner reports, "They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT."
Beach safety: Most beach campgrounds lack lifeguards, requiring parental supervision. At Heckscher State Park, "you can ride the loop around to the beach; you can also drive to the beach," notes Nita D., who also mentions that "there is a pool, but it has not been open for many years."
Entertainment options: Many campgrounds provide structured activities for children. Regarding Riverdale Farm Campsites, Nick H. mentions, "We did bingo and it was a blast. It was a beautiful day on the beach pond. They had great prizes for cheap cost."
Tips from RVers
Site quality: RV camping experiences vary widely by campground. At Riverdale Farm Campsites, Joel R. found "most of the roads are paved, the sites are large and level, there are full hookups, and a dump station" though "internet is an extra fee ($6/day)."
Hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. At Niantic KOA, Bernie C. notes, "No sewer hook up, but they do provide a honey wagon pump service, once, free of charge. They say you can request additional pumps for a fee, if necessary."
Site selection: RV site qualities differ within the same campground. At Wildwood State Park, Michael G. found "sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site, but this was an expensive place to 'camp'."
Storage solutions: Proper food storage is essential. Jennifer H. at Kettletown State Park warns campers to "watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food. Be sure put foods in the car!"
